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Health Department outlines SOTCH findings and adds $65,000 to opioid settlement strategies
Summary
County health staff presented the 2025 State of the County Health report noting rising deaths and access challenges; the Board also approved revisions adding $65,000 to opioid settlement strategies for Recovery Court, evaluator support, coordinator training, and PORT staffing.
Health Department staff presented the 2025 State of the County Health (SOTCH) report, noting that from 2019–2023 the county’s leading causes of death remained heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, and chronic lower respiratory disease, with overall deaths and rates rising due to pandemic impacts, an aging population, and increased unintentional injury deaths tied to opioid overdoses. The report described expanded services including a school-based dental bus, mobile screening, behavioral health supports, and the discontinuation of the Nurse-Family Partnership due to workforce constraints.
Separately, the Board approved revisions to the county’s opioid settlement authorized strategies that added $65,000 above the previously approved resolution. The increases include $50,000 added to a Recovery Court strategy to cover vendor participant-tracking differences and evaluator costs, $5,000 additional funds for an Opioid Settlement Coordinator for travel/training, and $10,000 for increased Community Paramedic staffing costs for the Post Overdose Response Team (PORT).
Health staff said the changes reflect evolving program needs and pay adjustments; the Board approved the resolution revisions as presented. A full copy of the SOTCH and the revised resolution are on file with the Health Department and the Clerk’s Office.
